Becoming Stacy Barthe

07 May, 2015

You may not know Stacy Barthe but you’ve definitely heard her. She’s the singer song-writer partially responsible for Rihanna’s 2011 hit ‘Cheers (Drink to that)’ and the first track from Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz album, ‘Adore You’- a song originally intended to go on one of Barthe’s projects but Miley insisted until Barthe agreed to Miley having the song. Or maybe you recognize her voice on BET’s top-rated show Being Mary Jane where she sings the theme song, ‘Beautifully Flawed Creatures.’
Barthe took the leap from writing for others to singing for herself with her 2011 debut EP ‘Sincerely Yours, Stacy Barthe’ that was a collection of her unused songs.  The project sealed her reputation in the industry of putting out great music.  Her lyrics are open and honest. As she told The Trending Report during a recent visit to Chicago, her writing is a direct reflection of her life. “I don’t make up stories. I write exactly what happened and exactly how I’m feeling. I don’t write fantasy songs.”
The technique is called method writing.  It’s the honesty in her music that caught the eye of John Legend who co-executive produced Bathe’s official debut album ‘BEcoming.’ “I began writing for his (John Legend) last album and I was already in the process to do a deal with MoTown and we merged.” Barthe said of ‘BEcoming’ being released in conjunction with Legend’s label Homeschool.
Through her lyrics you quickly learn that Barthe’s life has seen its share of ups and downs. The album’s opening track “My Suicide Note” recounts her suicide attempt while “Here I Am” deals with alcoholism.  The lyric’s read  “I said I wouldn’t do it again but here I am.” “There’s some hopeful stuff too” Barthe says flashing what seems to be a rare smile.  “There’s one called ‘Find a New Way to Live’ which is pretty much me recognizing that there’s a problem and I’ve reached a ceiling in this current state of being and that I need to find a new way to live.”  Then there’s ‘Live for Today’ featuring Barthe’s favorite rapper Common that’s a call to all who choose to carpe diem
The ‘BEcoming’ album elevates what is commonly marketed as R&B and combines pop, classical, folk and rock for a collaborative effort. Music insiders likened Barthe’s sound to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Sade, Tracy Chapman, Bjork, and India.Arie.
A fitting genre since Barthe has been slated along with  Bryan-Michael Cox to hit the road for HBO’s Bessie’s 81 Theatre Tour to support their upcoming original film starring Queen Latifah, ‘Bessie.’  The tour is designed to mimic the creative music process once used by Bessie Smith and her peers and is open to local artists.
B.Owusu
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